This error means Python found the file you wanted to import from, but it couldn’t find the specific function or class you asked for. This is known as an ImportError, and it occurs when Python cannot import a name you expected to be present.
Cause 1: Circular Imports (The “Chicken and Egg” Problem)
File A tries to import File B, but File B is also trying to import File A. This situation often leads to an ImportError because Python cannot resolve the order in which to import names. Python gets stuck in an infinite loop and crashes.
The Fix: Re-structure your code. Often, you can move the shared code into a third file (File C) and have both A and B import from C.
Cause 2: Shadowing Standard Libraries (Common Beginner Mistake!)
Did you name your own file email.py? If you do, and then try to run import email (hoping to get Python’s standard library), you may encounter an ImportError. Python will import YOUR file instead!
Since your file doesn’t have all the complex tools the real library has, it will fail when you try to use them and result in an ImportError since it cannot import the name you expected.
The Fix: NEVER name your files the same as standard Python modules. Avoid names like:
email.pyrandom.pymath.pycsv.py
Rename your file to something else (e.g., my_email_script.py) to prevent ImportError. Also, delete any .pyc files or __pycache__ folders that were created.
